What Happened
Europe recorded more than 10,000 excess deaths during the record heat wave that hit the western part of the continent at the end of June. Over 9,000 of these deaths occurred among people aged 65 or older, according to data published by EuroMOMO, a network supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The data, compiled from national mortality statistics in 27 European countries, included excess deaths from all causes, not just those related to heat, during the week of June 22-28, when the heat wave peaked in France, Spain, the UK, and other nations on the continent.
Why It Matters
Scientists stated that there were no other significant known factors, such as COVID-19 outbreaks, that could have contributed to the increase of 10,600 excess deaths that week. "Having that kind of excess [deaths] at this time of year is unusual. It's really very high," said Lasse Vestergaard, chief physician at the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark, which hosts EuroMOMO.
It's difficult to explain this high excess mortality for any reason other than extreme heat. In the UK, experts from Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine used weather data, climate models, and studies on excess mortality during the two heat waves that hit the region in May and June.
The Mechanism Behind the Heat Wave
The historic heat wave that swept Europe at the end of June would have been unlikely 50 years ago. The difference for the current scenario is climate change, highlighted a study by the global network of climate scientists World Weather Attribution (WWA). The climate crisis is intensifying extreme heat, and the data illustrates the danger of extreme heat in a compelling way.
More than 40% of the people affected would not have died without the 1.4°C increase in global temperature, according to the analysis. Temperature elevation caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels.
Broader Context
The late June heat wave killed about 440 people per day during its three-day peak. For comparison, four people die per day due to traffic accidents in the two countries, and 35 daily due to alcohol and drug consumption, according to government statistics.
The data shows that the heat wave is one of the main effects of the climate crisis, and that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of these events. It is essential that governments and societies take measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.
What's Next
Scientists warn that heat waves will be more frequent and intense in the future due to climate change. It is crucial that governments and societies take measures to prepare for these events, such as improving health infrastructure, increasing awareness of the risks of extreme heat, and developing emergency plans to deal with heat waves.
Furthermore, it is essential that measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. This includes investing in renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/07/13/europa-registra-mais-de-10-mil-mortes-por-onda-de-calor-no-fim-de-junho/
Source Name: ClimaInfo